Archive for September, 2009
Saturn Deal Falls Through, Brand to Die
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
Today, Penske Automotive Group is withdrawing its plan to purchase Saturn from GM. In turn, GM has issued a statement declaring it will not seek other buyers for Saturn and will wind down the brand and its dealers.
The terms of this process — including how long new Saturns will be produced and sold — will be announced at a later date.
Penske cited problems securing deals to sell other makes and models besides the current crop of GM-sourced vehicles. The company said a deal with a third party to make future Saturns fell through and that led to the deal’s termination.
Saturn now joins Pontiac and Oldsmobile in the GM graveyard. The sale of Hummer is still ongoing.
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Explaining the Toyota Floormat Recall
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
Toyota is in the process of recalling nearly 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles for an issue with their floormats. A number of complaints have shown that the floormats can creep forward and get stuck under the accelerator, which can lead to unintended and potentially dangerous acceleration. (Yes, we know the recall is not official yet, but for clarity we will call it a recall).
We had a 2010 Toyota Prius in our test fleet this week and noted its floormat set-up is similar to Toyotas included in the recall. The 2010 Prius is not included in the current recall, but the 2005-2009 Prius is. Toyota spokesman John Hanson said that the 2010 model uses the same type of floormats as the older Prius, as do many other current Toyota models not included in the recall.
The 2010 Prius, which has only been on sale for a relatively short time, is not included in the recall at this time because there have been no specific complaints filed with either Toyota or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the floormats, Hanson said. However, when the recall is finalized, which could be as early as next week, the 2010 Prius may be included, he said. Other models haven’t been included based solely on the lack of complaints. A number of factors including pedal placement and keyless ignition in addition to the floormats may have contributed to the complaints against the recalled cars.
So, what is it about these floormats that’s causing the problem?
Basically, any automaker’s floormats can slide forward if they’re not attached to a hook that keeps them in place. However, the Lexus and Toyota models in question include a hook that can be detached from the carpet, meaning there are two ways for the floormat to become dislodged. According to Hanson, the design stems from the fact that floormats are an option across the Toyota lineup, and someone buying a car without them wouldn’t want a fixed stem protruding from the carpet.
The timing of our Prius loan was pure coincidence. Before the recall was announced yesterday, we noticed the floormat had crept forward and its hooks were dislodged from the carpet. Our test cars are delivered from specialized fleets working with the automakers and are detailed before delivery. That often involves cleaning and removing the mats. Perhaps ours wasn’t put back properly or one of our editors with big feet kicked it out of place. Hanson mentioned that car washes are a prime opportunity for an owner to check the floormat’s installation.
Being detail-oriented car people, we popped the floor hooks back in and went on our way.
Toyota says that they are working on a permanent solution for the recalled models, and it will be developed within the government-mandated timeframe, which will be set after the recall is made official. How long that is we’re not sure. The recall itself is expected to be filed next week. In the meantime, all Toyota and Lexus drivers are being told to remove their floormats from the driver’s side to avoid any issues.
We would advise all car owners to be aware of their floormat placement, especially when using bulkier all-weather mats. We’d also suggest any owner of a modern Toyota not involved in the recall to be especially vigilant or remove their mats, too.
Floormat in place
Floormat too far forward
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Restyled 2010 Nissan Altima on Sale Thursday
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
We’ve already shown you a sneak peak of the 2010 Nissan Altima, but here’s a look at the fully revealed 2010 model that's scheduled to go on sale Thursday.
Besides the new look — featuring a fresh hood, grille and front bumper — an electronic stability system is now standard, which is a little late in the game compared to the Altima's competition. On the inside, Nissan’s next-generation navigation option includes a larger screen — from 4.3 to 6.5 inches — as well as a host of added features like a hard drive for music storage, streaming Bluetooth audio, restaurant guide, and live traffic and weather information.
Engine and transmission options remain relatively unchanged except the sedan loses its manual transmission for 2010, making a continuously variable automatic transmission the sole transmission offering. You can still get a manual teamed with the coupe’s four- and six-cylinder engines.
The four-cylinder with CVT gains 1 mpg in highway ratings, now at 23/32 mpg city/highway, and the six-cylinder with CVT gains 1 mpg in city and highway ratings, now at 20/27 mpg.
Like previous years, the Altima Hybrid will be sold only in states that have adopted California's emission regulations: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Full pricing is below and does not include a $720 destination charge. We also have many more photos after the jump.
Sedan
Altima 2.5 CVT — $19,900
Altima 2.5 S CVT — $21,840
Altima 3.5 SR CVT — $24,520
Coupe
Altima Coupe 2.5 S six-speed manual — $22,440
Altima Coupe 2.5 S CVT — $22,940
Altima Coupe 3.5 SR CVT — $27,270
Altima Coupe 3.5 SR six-speed manual — $29,600
Hybrid
Altima HEV CVT — $26,780
2010 Nissan Altima Sedan
2010 Nissan Altima Coupe
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Report: GM To Pause Duramax Diesel Production
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
Automotive News reports that GM is scheduled to stop building the current LMM version of its 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 diesel engine and will pause all diesel engine production for four-and-a-half months, starting in mid-December. During the production halt, GM will tool-up the Moraine, Ohio plant, where the Duramax is manufactured, to produce the new LML 6.6-liter Duramax V-8, which will roll off the assembly line starting in mid-April 2010.
The new LML Duramax V-8 powertrain will use urea selective catalytic reduction to meet tough new EPA rules that limit nitrogen oxide emissions.
GM is expected to build up a supply of current Duramax motors to help meet demand until the new motor arrives in the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups.
[Source: Automotive News]
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Honda CR-Z Concept Gets Fleshed Out
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
We’ve been anticipating the new “sports”-oriented hybrid from Honda since we saw the first concept version in 2007. This latest iteration is a concept in name only. Honda has a history of showing nearly production-ready models at auto shows with just a few differences from what will roll off of the assembly line. In this case, the new CR-Z is slated for production in Japan early next year.
Expect the overall exterior shape and design to remain unchanged. Compared to the original concept, this CR-Z has toned down the bulbous hood that made it look like a beluga whale. The other major change is the taillights peek out from the rear pillar. Otherwise, the CR-Z looks like it’ll be extremely faithful to the original concept.
The inside looks sporty, as you’d hope in a car that Honda says will be fun to drive. A six-speed manual transmission will be teamed to a 1.5-liter four-cylinder with Honda’s hybrid system used in the Insight. The Insight has a smaller 1.3-liter engine and a CVT transmission, which most of us here at Cars.com aren’t big fans of.
Check out more photos below, and let us know if you think the changes help or hinder the car’s appeal.
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Review: Chevrolet Cobalt XFE
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
With my previous Chevrolet Cobalt XFE encounter in mind, visiting three dealerships in search of an XFE tester came as no surprise. Ironically, the dealer formerly associated with “Mr. Big Volume” (a.k.a. Bill Heard) had one XFE-badged Cobalt that survived last month’s Cash For Clunkers shopping spree. Like the surprisingly respectful staff at [...]
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Cars.com Compares Box-Cars
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
The Scion xB has recently seen the introduction of competition in a segment that didn’t even exist a few years ago. The 2010 Kia Soul and the 2009 Nissan Cube get stacked against the 2009 Scion, and Cars.com reviewers Bill Jackson, Kelsey Mays and Joe Wiesenfelder have the task of sorting out the winner. From blind spots to seating comfort, the guys go down the list to find the best econobox on the market.
Cars.comparison: The Box-Cars (Cars.com)
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Spied! Coyote 5.0-Liter V-8 Ford F-150
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
Photos by Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Company
We've just received spy photos from Brenda Priddy & Company that show a pack of “Coyote”-powered F-150 pickups out running with Ford’s new 4-valve 5.0-liter V-8 engine, including the first photo you see here of the Coyote in an F-150 engine bay.
In January, we first told you about Ford’s plans to phase out the current 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter eight cylinder engines and replace them with the Coyote V-8 in 2010. The engine will be shared with the Mustang and is expected to produce approximately 400 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque.
We also showed you the first pictures of the new Coyote V-8 cradled under the open hood of a Mustang test car. Interestingly, the Mustang engine we spied earlier appeared to have an aluminum intake manifold while the 5.0-liter V-8 in the F-150 appears to have a composite intake manifold.
Ford is testing the engine in every trim level of F-150, plus one very interesting test truck with 7-lug wheels – an indication the 5.0-liter V-8 might power a heavy duty payload package version of the half-ton.
Unlike the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 that’s scheduled to arrive in late 2010 for the F-150, the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 won’t use direct injection or turbocharging. It’s a naturally aspirated motor with fuel economy that’s expected to be comparable to the current 5.4-liter V-8. It's also expected to use a cast aluminum engine block instead of iron, to help save weight.
Interestingly, the 5.0-liter V-8 is said to produce power levels that are in the same neighborhood as the larger 6.2-liter V-8 that arrives in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in February and the 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine.
Of course, our sources tell us that Ford is already working on a version of the Coyote V-8 that will separate itself from the rest of the future V-8 engine lineup. In cartoons, the Coyote is only beat by a Road Runner. Look for a twin-turbo 5.0-liter “Road Runner” V-8 with well over 500-horsepower to debut first in the Mustang GT500 in 2012 and possibly, in F-150 Harley-Davidson edition pickups.
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Cash for Clunkers Boost Fuel Efficiency of New Cars in August
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
Cash for Clunkers helped boost the average gas mileage of new cars and light trucks to a record average of 23 mpg in August, according to Ward’s Auto Fuel-Economy Index. This beats by 1% the previous high in July when the program began, and it represents an 8% gain from a year ago when the average was 21.2 mpg.
Ward’s calculates the data using reported U.S. light-duty vehicle sales, engine options and fuel economy ratings.
Overall, Toyota had the best average at 26.9 mpg, which relied mostly on sales of the Camry and Prius. The Camry had the second-best sales month of its quarter century on the market; the Prius nearly sold out by mid-August.
Kia was the runner-up with a 25.1 mpg average, with Honda close on its heels at 24.9 mpg. The 2009 Jetta TDI helped push Volkswagen’s average to 23 mpg for fourth place, and BMW rounded out the top five with 22 mpg.
A total of 34,331 hybrids were sold, which is the second highest volume ever sold in a single month.
August Light-Vehicle Sales Achieve Record Fuel-Efficiency Rating (Ward’s Auto)
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Tight Supply and Demand Means More Expensive Cars
Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin.
Detroit’s automakers are working to bring vehicle supply and demand into harmony by reining in their reliance on incentives and discounts to sell cars. This has raised vehicle prices during the recession, a move that seems counterintuitive. The Big Three’s vehicles sold for an average of $2,000 more in the second quarter of this year than in the first quarter, according to J.D. Power and Associates.
Ford and GM are leading the drive after learning the hard way that a bloated inventory and huge incentives aren’t the best way to make a profit. Rebates can help improve market share, but they cost automakers money. The Cash for Clunkers program teamed with a summer production shutdown created low inventory levels that haven’t been seen in years.
This is a lesson that the Big Three’s competitors have already perfected. Toyota offered an average discount of $1,584 per vehicle this year, while Honda offered $1,567, according to Autodata. Meanwhile, Ford offered $2,811 discount per vehicle; GM, $3,418; and Chrysler, $4,407.
Detroit’s automakers are attempting to match vehicle supply to demand more closely and decrease their reliance on incentives. This has cost consumers $900 million in net pricing in North America during the second quarter. The average price of a Detroit automaker’s car rose 7.8% from $25,567 a year earlier to $27,571 in the second quarter of this year, according to J.D. Power.
Unfortunately, what is healthy for automakers will cost consumers.
Buying a Car Gets Pricier as GM, Ford Cut Inventory (Bloomberg News)
